2011 playoff restriction for Garfield football lifted

During a meeting at Garfield High School Thursday, it was announced the playoff restriction placed on the Bulldogs football team for the 2011 season has been lifted.

The school asked the KingCo Conference to review self-imposed penalties levied against the program, stemming from the use of ineligible players during a win over Sammamish Sept. 10, 2010.

The conference agreed to lift the playoff ban. The decision was then approved by the Sea-King District board.

Here is some background on why the football team was initially deemed ineligible for the postseason. Click here.

Here is another story written when Allen and Kelley first resigned. Click here.

The other sanctions placed on the program remain in place. Those included the resignation of the head coach Anthony Allen and assistant coach Anthony Kelley. Athletic director Jim Valiere is on paid administrative leave, Greg Brashear is the interim athletic director and the football program forfeited the Sammamish game.

The athletic department also remains on probation until Sept. 1, 2012.

There is still an ongoing investigation, which could provide more answers than have been given to this point. From the start, there has been more confusion than answers. The other interesting news to come out of last week’s meeting was the announcement that the school is expected to name a football coach this week.